We recently surpassed the 100 million licenses sold mark for Windows 8. This number includes Windows licenses that ship on a new tablet or PC, as well as upgrades to Windows 8. This is up from the 60 million license number we provided in January. We’ve also seen the number of certified devices for Windows 8 and Window RT grow to 2,400 devices, and we’re seeing more and more touch devices in the mix.

As we talked about in our last Q&amp;A, Windows 8 is a big, ambitious change. While we realize that change takes time, we feel good about the progress since launch, including what we’ve been able to accomplish with the ecosystem and customer reaction to the new PCs and tablets that are available now or will soon come to market.

Reller also states that Microsoft is on course to deliver Windows "Blue" by the end of this year, and states that Windows 8's bold vision is still alive:

Windows Blue is a codename for an update that will be available later this year, building on the bold vision set forward with Windows 8 to deliver the next generation of tablets and PCs. It will deliver the latest new innovations across an increasingly broad array of form factors of all sizes, display, battery life and performance, while creating new opportunities for our ecosystem. It will provide more options for businesses, and give consumers more options for work and play. The Windows Blue update is also an opportunity for us to respond to the customer feedback that we’ve been closely listening to since the launch of Windows 8 and Windows RT. From a company-wide perspective, Windows Blue is part of a broader effort to advance our devices and services for Microsoft.

This number includes Windows 8 pre-installed on pre-configured systems for mass sale. Since there is no way to see how many of those are downgraded to a previous version or how many were not wanted in the first place this number is completely meaningless. The number that I'd find most interesting would be: how many people didn't have Windows 8, wanted it, and went out and bought it. I'm sure it's large, don't get me wrong, but this number quoted here is useless.

This number includes Windows 8 pre-installed on pre-configured systems for mass sale. Since there is no way to see how many of those are downgraded to a previous version or how many were not wanted in the first place this number is completely meaningless. The number that I'd find most interesting would be: how many people didn't have Windows 8, wanted it, and went out and bought it. I'm sure it's large, don't get me wrong, but this number quoted here is useless.

But that's how Microsoft has always done it. They've never split upgrades, OEM, retail sales before, or at least afaik.

What is really differing (8 vs. 7) is that - for the first time in a long time, if not ever, upgrades are outstripping OEM and new-license sales. In addition, Windows 8 has a *green* (no packaging) upgrade option that Windows 7 lacked. And all those additional metrics (more upgrades, lower OEM sales, non-packaged sales) are muddying the waters for the punditocracy. Still, the biggest shocker was the United States government (which typically trails when it comes to Windows) is jumping in with both feet - and especially the military. As I said in the comment section on the front page article, so much for logic.

I'm so glad consumers realized what a great operating system Windows 8 is. It is, in fact, one of my favorite products from Microsoft so far. Amazing performance and rock-solid stability alone make it the best Windows release as of today.

This number includes Windows 8 pre-installed on pre-configured systems for mass sale. Since there is no way to see how many of those are downgraded to a previous version or how many were not wanted in the first place this number is completely meaningless. The number that I'd find most interesting would be: how many people didn't have Windows 8, wanted it, and went out and bought it. I'm sure it's large, don't get me wrong, but this number quoted here is useless.

I got some news for ya: Microsoft couldn't care less. Those are sold licenses, doesn't matter if the user downgraded to Windows 7 (highly unlikely as normal people don't see a reason to do so, many don't even know it can be done or how), let alone a Linux distro.

No matter how you twist it, Windows 8 joining 7 as the fastest selling OS of of all time is extremely good news given the declining PC market and strong competition from Apple and Android (2009 was a far different landscape).